On Sunday, December 15, 2013, my prized 2012 Camaro ZL1 took its last breath at 4:47 pm. The car was at the dealer in Georgetown, DE for paint issues (under warranty). It had been locked in the service bay over the weekend. On Sunday afternoon, an employee of the dealership (service writer) entered the locked building, removed the keys to my car from the service department, and went on a joyride. The car was totaled when he lost control and sheared off a telephone pole.

The dealership informed my wife and I on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. of our loss. Yes, they waited over 16 hours to tell us about our car. I am sure they discussed the incident with their attorneys prior to calling us.

It is now Friday, the car has been officially totaled by the insurance company, and the dealership is telling us it is not their problem. They even refuse to provide my wife and I (and our insurance company) with their insurance information.

I traded in my 2011 SS2 Camaro and sold my 1969 Camaro SS in pristine condition to buy the ZL1. I will never be able to afford another new ZL1, and basically I don't think I should have to be put in the position to have to buy a new one. We trusted the dealership to use vigilance while our car was in their possession. We can't even have charges pressed against their employee for theft because the car was not in OUR possession when stolen.

Something about this whole thing just doesn't seem right. What would you do if this was your baby?

VJZL1

12-20-2013 02:13 PM

You need to contact an attorney ASAP. The dealer is completely liable for the car while is is being serviced by them. Your entitled to a new vehicle. This is an easy open and shut case.

SB09

12-20-2013 02:13 PM

That makes no sense whatsoever. Isn't the car the dealerships liability when it's dropped off at their place?

Sickness91Z28

12-20-2013 02:15 PM

:laughabove:

Quote:

Originally Posted by VJZL1
(Post 7274696)

You need to contact an attorney ASAP. The dealer is completely liable for the car while is is being serviced by them. Your entitled to a new vehicle. This is an easy open and shut case.

Completely agree! That's an insane story man, Keep us updated

436SS

12-20-2013 02:22 PM

Dont let the dealer play this game with you. They are soley responsible. Get an attorney and let them help you get another car.

PFCMAC

12-20-2013 02:26 PM

You can press charges against the dealership for destruction of private property and should be allowed to press theft charges because they took a lot of your money when they destroyed your car. you can easily sue them for damages and hardship and be rewarded with enough money for two zl1's.

jessrayo

12-20-2013 02:27 PM

The dealer is liable for the car but only the appraised 2012 used ZL1 price. Sorry, you probably cannot get a car that was cared for like yours had been at the price they will give you to replace it. I would talk to a lawyer. If you don't have a good attorney relationship you may contact the better business bureau, or call GM directly. If everything happened exactly as you described the dealership will eventually cover the loss, it may tike some time and patience.

Sapper12b

12-20-2013 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VJZL1
(Post 7274696)

You need to contact an attorney ASAP. The dealer is completely liable for the car while is is being serviced by them. Your entitled to a new vehicle. This is an easy open and shut case.

Completely the dealership fault. I agree with everyone else, get a lawyer and keep us informed.

TOYMARO

12-20-2013 02:39 PM

Yea, thats BS. Get an attorney right now!!!! It would have been the FIRST thing I did if the dealer told me that crap. I dont believe you didnt man. I would have had one by monday noon!!! Tear them apart!!!

Dealer name? (may be against board rules)

:popcorn:

SSNIGHTMARE

12-20-2013 02:39 PM

Post the dealer name so no one else deals with this shady of a dealership................

GearheadSS

12-20-2013 02:39 PM

First, contact Chevrolet Customer service and get the situation escalated within GM. They will take this seriously.

I am so sorry. I would be sick! As everybody else has said, call GM directly and get a lawyer. Keep us all informed. Good luck friend! P.S. Not as serious of a story, but similar. My cousin bought a brand new WS6 Trans Am in 2002. He dropped it off for his 5,000 mile check and a tech went out joy riding in it. He came to pick it up and found 150 more miles on it, burnt rubber under the wheel wells and it stunk like cigarettes. He went off like a rocket and the dealer admitted their fault, fired the tech and gave him lifetime oil changes and state inspection for free. Again, it's not the same, but at least my cousin's dealer "manned up". Again, good luck!

01pewterz28

12-20-2013 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jessrayo
(Post 7274733)

The dealer is liable for the car but only the appraised 2012 used ZL1 price. Sorry, you probably cannot get a car that was cared for like yours had been at the price they will give you to replace it. I would talk to a lawyer. If you don't have a good attorney relationship you may contact the better business bureau, or call GM directly. If everything happened exactly as you described the dealership will eventually cover the loss, it may tike some time and patience.

Another reason why I would carry collector car insurance on my car and I do (on my 2001 Z/28 and 2010 Camaro). At the least you have an agreed value of what you set. When you have to settle with appraised prices you are screwed.

monstertodd

12-20-2013 02:59 PM

Another vote for "get an attorney". You can't stand by and be railroaded by this dealership. They are completely liable for this. And at the very least you should be able to sue the employee

EVERY dealer reacts this way when this kind of thing happens. EVERY dealer that does this gets blasted all over internet blogs. EVERY dealer that does this is found wrong in court, yet the CONTINUOUSLY do this. Contact Jalopnik and Autoblog. Contact GM. Hire a lawyer.

BrunSS

12-20-2013 03:05 PM

Unbelivable !! Sure this Guys

BrunSS

12-20-2013 03:06 PM

Sue

Kelly@PCMofNC

12-20-2013 03:07 PM

What in the?? Do they think they will get away with this?

BigBoyBlue

12-20-2013 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GearheadSS
(Post 7274773)

First, contact Chevrolet Customer service and get the situation escalated within GM. They will take this seriously.

Second, lawyer up.

Exactly. Make sure that you get in touch with a decision maker, not a customer service rep. This involves writing a letter (sent via USPS, not email) to higher-ups at GM. They need to punish this dealer or at least force them to give you a new/newer car. Perhaps GM does this as a gesture of goodwill.

In the past when I have had problems with a company, even a big company, I have written letters to their executive offices. Sure, the mail is screened, but I always get a favorable response from the company. The executive usually has a "fixer" who goes out of their way to fix things for you.

Two other things you should do:

1. Lodge a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Businesses hate having unresolved complaints on the BBB website. The dealer is no different.

2. See if your local news/paper has a "shame on you" type of segment. It's a long shot, but if you get to tell your story, it may shame the dealership into stepping up.

BTW, has the dealership already said that they won't give you a newer car? They should be going overboard to make this up to you.

If they don't, I'd raise holy hell. No reason you should be in this situation!

Good luck.

MrWray

12-20-2013 03:08 PM

Not only is the dealership liable for your car from an insurance standpoint, but they have also committed a felony on a criminal level. An employee "of the dealership" STOLE your car and wrecked it. I would have their ass handed to them

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

hawk02

12-20-2013 03:14 PM

I'm going to guess the paper you signed to have the dealership service your car has some fine print on it somewhere stating they are not liable for any loss or damages to your vehicle while it's in their possession. That's probably why they're telling you it's not their problem.

If the car is totaled, Isn't your insurance company going to reimburse you the market value of the car?

To me it's no different than if someone stole the car from in front of your house and totaled it. Your insurance company should reimburse you the fair market value of the car and then go after the dealership's insurance to get their money back.

If the dealership had any decency, it would pay the difference between what your insurance reimburses and the cost of a new ZL1.

Like others have suggested, get yourself a good lawyer and be patient. This could take a while to settle.

Dubscamaro

12-20-2013 03:14 PM

Looks like you just got yourself a brand new Z28! Look on the bright side! Watch Chevy contact you and be on their knees! Contact chevrolet and they should have that dealer shut down. Chevy has never been someone to treat their owners like that. Ugh reading this upsets me..